Objective: To investigate the current status of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding drinking water among primary school students in rural areas of China, so as to provide scientific basis for implementing health interventions related to drinking water. Methods: From November to December 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to select 6 354 fourth to sixth grade primary school students in Shanxi, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Guangxi and Gansu for a questionnaire survey. A uniformly designed questionnaire (including basic information, drinking water-related knowledge, attitudes and practices indicators) was distributed and completed by the students themselves. The χ 2 test was used to analyze the differences in drinking water-related indicators among students of different gender and boarder, and Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of drinking water practices among students. Results: Among the indicators of drinking water knowledge, the awareness rate of appropriate daily water intake for respective student age groups was the lowest (27.90%). The awareness rate among nonresident students was significantly higher than that among boarding students (31.29%, 15.49%, χ 2=132.75, P <0.01). Regarding attitudes toward drinking water, 13.33% of the students believed that well water or tap water could be drunk directly, and 9.58% believed that going to the toilet at school was troublesome. Regarding practices, the self-reported water intake among students was 1 000 (600, 1 200) mL. The results of multifactorial Logistic regression showed that higher grades ( OR=1.60, 95%CI =1.34-1.92), nonresident students ( OR=1.32, 95%CI = 1.15 -1.52), northern region ( OR=1.43, 95%CI =1.27-1.61), knowledge of appropriate daily water intake ( OR=1.41, 95%CI =1.24-1.60), drinking temperature ( OR=1.43, 95%CI =1.28-1.60), scientific hydration methods ( OR=1.25, 95%CI =1.08- 1.44 ), and adopting scientific hydration methods regularly ( OR=1.75, 95%CI =1.50-2.04) were the independent influences on daily water intake attainment ( P <0.05). Conclusions Rural primary school students lack knowledge about healthy drinking water, have cognitive biases about safe drinking water and exhibit unhealthy drinking behavior. It is suggested that health education be carried out in combination with the characteristics of students to enhance their drinking water literacy.

The catalytic activity of 3-mercaptopyruvate (3MP) sulfurtransferase (MPST) converts 3MP to hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). However, the regulatory mechanisms governing MPST and its impact on the brain remain largely unexplored. Our study reveals the neuroprotective role of endothelial MPST-generated H₂S, regulated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Bioinformatics analysis and RNA sequencing demonstrated that endothelial PP2A is associated with neurodegenerative disease pathways. Cerebral ischemic mice exhibited significant inactivation of endothelial PP2A, evidenced by the reduction of PP2Acα in the brain endothelium. Mice with endothelium-specific null PP2A (PP2A^EC-cKO) exhibited neuronal loss, cognitive dysfunction, and long-term potentiation deficits. Postnatal inactivation of endothelial PP2A also contributes to cognitive dysfunction and neuronal loss. However, regaining endothelial PP2A activity by overexpressing Ppp2ca rescued neuronal dysfunction. Mechanistically, PP2A deficiency is intricately linked to the MPST-H₂S signaling pathway. A robust reduction in endothelial MPST-dependent H₂S production followed PP2A deficiency. Exogenous H₂S treatment and AAV-mediated overexpression of MPST in brain endothelial cells significantly mitigated neuronal dysfunction in PP2A^EC-cKO mice. Furthermore, PP2A deficiency promotes an increase in calcium influx and calpain2 phosphorylation, subsequently leading to MPST degradation. The PP2A activator (FTY720) and MPST activator (3MP sodium) both remarkably restored endothelial MPST-dependent H₂S production, subsequently rescuing ischemia-induced neurological deficits. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that endothelial PP2A deficiency leads to MPST degradation by activating calpain2, thus damaging neuronal function.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a significant complication of sepsis, characterized by high morbidity, mortality, and poor prognosis. Neutrophils, as critical intrinsic immune cells in the lung, play a fundamental role in the development and progression of ALI. During ALI, neutrophils generate neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and excessive NETs can intensify inflammatory injury. Research indicates that Taohe Chengqi decoction (THCQD) can ameliorate sepsis-induced lung inflammation and modulate immune function. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which THCQD improves ALI and its relationship with NETs in sepsis patients, seeking to provide novel perspectives and interventions for clinical treatment. The findings demonstrate that THCQD enhanced survival rates and reduced lung injury in the cecum ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced ALI mouse model. Furthermore, THCQD diminished neutrophil and macrophage infiltration, inflammatory responses, and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Notably, subsequent experiments confirmed that THCQD inhibits NET formation both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, THCQD significantly decreased the expression of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) protein, and molecular docking predicted that certain active compounds in THCQD could bind tightly to PAD4. PAD4 overexpression partially reversed THCQD's inhibitory effects on PAD4. These findings strongly indicate that THCQD mitigates CLP-induced ALI by inhibiting PAD4-mediated NETs.
Extracellular Traps/immunology* ; Acute Lung Injury/immunology* ; Animals ; Sepsis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Neutrophils/immunology* ; Male ; Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 4/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cytokines/metabolism*

Purpose To investigate the relationship be-tween the level of tumor abnormal protein(TAP)and the molec-ular subtypes and clinicopathological features of breast cancer,and to analyze the value of TAP in breast cancer screening,di-agnosis and prognosis prediction.Methods The clinical data of 357 breast cancer patients were collected,and the elbow venous blood was collected to detect the TAP condensate area.Immuno-histochemical(IHC)EnVision two-step method was used to de-tect the expression of AR,ER,PR,HER2,p53 and Ki67,and FISH to detect HER2 gene.The relationship between TAP ex-pression and clinicopathological features,molecular subtypes and clinical stages of breast cancer was analyzed,and the rele-vant literature was reviewed.Results Among 357 breast cancer patients,9 cases(2.52％)were TAP negative,36 cases(10.08％)were weakly positive,312 cases(87.40％)were strongly positive,and the positive rate of TAP was 97.48％.AR was positive in 321 cases and negative in 36 cases,ER was pos-itive in 256 cases and negative in 101 cases,PR was positive in 214 cases and negative in 143 cases,HER2 was strongly posi-tive in 98 cases,weakly positive in 214 cases and negative in 45 cases,p53 was positive in 146 cases and negative in 211 cases,Ki67 index was ≥20％in 276 cases and＜20％in 81 case.A total of 155 cases of IHC HER2(2+)breast cancer were tested by FISH:140 cases were negative and 15 cases were positive.The expression level of TAP in patients of ≥50 years old expres-sionas significantly higher than that in patients of＜50 years old(P＜0.05).The expression level of TAP in patients with high Ki67 proliferation index was significantly higher than that in pa-tients with low Ki67 proliferation index(P＜0.05).There was a significant difference in TAP expression between patients with different molecular subtypes(P＜0.05).Tap expression was higher in triple-negative breast cancer patients than in non-tri-ple-negative breast cancer patients(P＜0.05),and it was high-er in Luminal B breast cancer patients than in non-Luminal B breast cancer patients(P＜0.05).There was a significant difference in TAP expression between patients with different clin-ical stages(P＜0.05),and TAP expression level was positively correlated with clinical stage in breast cancer.Conclusion TAP detection can improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer,and has a certain correlation with the survival rate and prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations,molecular genetics and gonadal pathol-ogy characteristics of patients with disorders of sex development(DSD),and to summarize the clinical experi-ence of identifying rare diseases from common symptoms.Methods The clinical data of 416 patients with DSD diagnosed and treated in the multidisciplinary center of DSD of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Cen-ter from May 2018 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,summarized and discussed.Results Accord-ing to chromosome karyotype,416 cases of DSD were classified into three types:92 cases(22.1％)of abnormal sex chromosome karyotype,285 cases(68.5％)of 46,XY karyotype and 39 cases(9.4％)of 46,XX karyotype.Among the 92 patients with abnormal sex chromosome karyotype,59 cases were raised as males,18 cases(30.5％)complained of short penis with hypospadias and cryptorchidism.The most common karyotype was 45,X/46,XY(58 cases,63.0％).Among the 285 patients with 46,XY karyotype,238 cases were raised as males,and 63 cases(26.5％)complained of short penis and hypospadias;47 cases were raised as females,and 13 ca-ses(27.7％)complained of inguinal mass.A total of 216 patients with 46,XY karyotype were subjected to whole exome gene detection,and 155 cases(71.8％)were found to have molecular pathogenesis with the clinical phe-notype.Among the 39 patients with 46,XX karyotype,19 cases were raised as males,and 8 cases(42.1％)com-plained of short penis and hypospadias.In the 18 cases of gonad biopsy,17 cases showed testicular tissue in go-nads.Whole exome sequencing was performed in 14 cases.NR5A1 gene heterozygous mutation,SRY gene muta-tion and SOX3 gene mutation were found in 2 cases,respectively(14.3％).Twenty cases were raised as females,and 14 cases(70.0％)complained of clitoral hypertrophy.Gonad biopsy was performed in 8 cases,with 7 cases of ovotestis(87.5％)and 1 case of NR5A1 gene heterozygous mutation(14.3％).Conclusions The etiologies of DSD are complex and diverse,and the clinical manifestations are various,which can be manifested as hypospa-dias,micropenis,cryptorchidism and other common symptoms of the urinary system.Different etiologies have dif-ferent treatment options.Therefore,chromosome karyotype,molecular genetic testing and gonadal pathology can be used to clarify the cause of disease,especially for rare diseases,improve the detection rate,reduce the rate of missed diagnosis,and ensure reasonable treatment,especially sex selection.

Objective:To examine the effect of short-term regular aerobic exercise on physical fitness of children with pulmonary with atresia ventricular septal defect after radical biventricular treatment.Methods:This was a prospective self pre-and post-control observation study. The subjects performed regular aerobic exercise for 10 days according to the exercise prescription. Body composition measurement and cardiopulmonary exercise test[lung ventilation function, maximum oxygen uptake(VO 2max), maximum oxygen pulse(O 2/HR max), ventilation oxygen uptake efficiency(OUES), exercise load time], 6 min walking distance(6MWD), sports psychometric test, motor function screening test and fitness test, were collected. The changes of test parameters and scale scoring before and after exercise were analyzed and compared. Results:A total of 7 children with PA/VSD after biventricular surgery were enrolled. The age ranged 8.2-16.2 years old, and there were 2 males and 5 females. VO 2max[(1 196.71±395.31)ml/min vs.(1 297.43±425.73)ml/min, P=0.031], O 2/HRmax[(82.43±7.53)ml/beat vs.(91.57±6.95)ml/beat, P<0.001]increased after exercise. The exercise load time was significantly increased compared with that before intervention[(476.43±35.73)s vs.(531.43±45.76)s, P=0.002]. Resting heart rate before exercise( P=0.013) and peak respiration exchange ratio(PeakRER, P=0.021) were significantly lower. Body composition tests suggest weight, intracellular water, protein and muscle content of lower limb were higher( P<0.05). The motor function score was higher than before( P=0.015); the score of sports fear was lower than before( P=0.009). There was no significant difference in lung capacity and 6-minute walking distance before and after exercise( P>0.05). There were no cardiovascular events during the study period. Conclusion:Short-term regular aerobic exercise for children with PA/VSD after biventricular surgery can improve exercise tolerance, increase lower limb muscle content, improve exercise fear and exercise function, and has good safety and feasibility.

The rise of nanotechnology has opened new horizons for cancer immunotherapy. However, most nanovaccines fabricated with nanomaterials suffer from carrier-related concerns, including low drug loading capacity, unpredictable metabolism, and potential systemic toxicity, which bring obstacles for their clinical translation. Herein, we developed an antigen self-assembled nanovaccine, which was resulted from a simple acryloyl modification of the antigen to induce self-assembly. Furthermore, a dendritic cell targeting head mannose monomer and a mevalonate pathway inhibitor zoledronic acid (Zol) were integrated or absorbed onto the nanoparticles (denoted as MEAO-Z) to intensify the immune response. The synthesized nanovaccine with a diameter of around 70 nm showed successful lymph node transportation, high dendritic cell internalization, promoted costimulatory molecule expression, and preferable antigen cross-presentation. In virtue of the above superiorities, MEAO-Z induced remarkably higher titers of serum antibody, stronger cytotoxic T lymphocyte immune responses and IFN-γ secretion than free antigen and adjuvants. In vivo, MEAO-Z significantly suppressed EG7-OVA tumor growth and prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. These results indicated the translation promise of our self-assembled nanovaccine for immune potentiation and cancer immunotherapy.

Background Previous research indicated that isomers and alternatives of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) probably disturb glucose metabolism; however, current epidemiological evidence on the associations of PFAS with fasting blood glucose is inconsistent. Besides, studies on the joint association of multiple components of PFAS and fasting blood glucose as well as the key component are scarce. Objective To evaluate the associations of PFAS isomers and alternatives with fasting blood glucose and their joint effects, as well as identify the key component among population without glucose metabolism problems. Methods We selected 923 adults without glucose metabolism problems or missing data from the Isomers of C8 Health Project in China (2015—2016). Serum PFAS isomers and alternatives and fasting blood glucose were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and automatic biochemical analyzer. We applied multiple linear regression to explore the associations of 16 pollutants which were detected among over 80% participants with fasting blood glucose. Meanwhile, we utilized qgcomp and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models to explore the joint effects of PFAS isomers and alternatives mixture on target outcome indicators and identify the key component. Results The average age among the 923 participants in this study was (62.4±13.8) years old, including 472 men (51.1%) and 451 women (48.9%). Among selected PFAS isomers and alternatives, the highest serum concentration was ∑3+4+5m-PFOS (perfluoro-3/4/5-methylheptanesulfonate) with a median concentration of 10.20 ng·mL⁻¹. The concentrations of linear perfluorooctane sulfonate (n-PFOS, 9.61 ng·mL⁻¹), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, 4.55 ng·mL⁻¹), linear perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (n-PFHxS, 2.48 ng·mL⁻¹), 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ethersulfonic acid (6:2 Cl-PFESA, 1.90 ng·mL⁻¹), perfluoro-6-methylheptanesulfonate (iso-PFOS, 1.85 ng·mL⁻¹), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, 1.81 ng·mL⁻¹), perfluorinated n-nonanoic acid (PFNA, 1.39 ng·mL⁻¹), and perfluoro-1-methylheptanesulfonate (1m-PFOS, 1.27 ng·mL⁻¹) were higher than 1.00 ng·mL⁻¹. After being adjusted for selected confounders, PFAS isomers and alternatives were positively associated with fasting blood glucose. With 1 ln unit concentration increment of 6:2 Cl-PFESA and PFNA, the estimated changes of fasting blood glucose were 0.18 (95%CI: 0.13, 0.23) mmol·L⁻¹ and 0.24 (95%CI: 0.18, 0.30) mmol·L⁻¹, respectively. The multi-pollutant models indicated a joint association of PFAS isomers and alternatives mixture with fasting blood glucose. The BKMR models reveals that as the quantiles of mixture elevated from the 50^th to the 75^th percentile, the values of fasting blood glucose increased 0.25 (95%CI: 0.21, 0.30) mmol·L⁻¹, and the posterior inclusion probability of PFNA was 0.92, implying that PFNA was the key component. Conclusion PFAS isomers and alternatives are positively associated with fasting blood glucose. PFNA is the key component of the joint association.

Objectives: Despite the public-health significance of both malnutrition and crises, little has been done to explore the convergence of the two domains and develop ways to improve policies and practices, especially in rural communities. This article remedies that knowledge gap by focusing on nutrition-related changes, responses, and practices during crisis situations in Siargao Island, Philippines, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a backdrop. Methods: Forty-six (46) semi-structured interviews were conducted among parents, caregivers, local health workers, and local officials of Del Carmen, Siargao Island. Principles of thematic analysis were applied to data analysis using NVivo 12. Afterwards, the preliminary data were presented in a virtual validation session with the local community and stakeholders. Results: Despite the high prevalence of malnutrition amid a backdrop of economic and nutritional difficulties, the community members generally viewed their children as healthy. Rice remained (disproportionately) central to people’s diets; possible alternatives like root crops were considered emergency foods only and not culturally acceptable as staples, in spite of their cheap and ubiquitous nature. Lastly, the economic and financial repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have also negatively affected the community members’ overall nutrition and food sources. Conclusion More efforts should be directed toward encouraging the consumption of root vegetables and fruits as rice alternatives in everyday diet—a costeffective strategy that would also promote dietary diversification. More importantly, nutrition responses should consider local food systems in terms of specific local economies and geographies, while health promotion efforts should engage with local notions of ‘health’ and ‘nutrition’ and encourage community participation in (re)designing policy interventions.
Nutrition ; public health ; rice ; COVID-19

Plant metabolites are important for plant development and human health. Plants of celery (Apiumgraveolens L.) with different-colored petioles have been formed in the course of long-term evolution. However, the composition, content distribution, and mechanisms of accumulation of metabolites in different-colored petioles remain elusive. Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), 1159 metabolites, including 100 lipids, 72 organic acids and derivatives, 83 phenylpropanoids and polyketides, and several alkaloids and terpenoids, were quantified in four celery cultivars, each with a different petiole color. There were significant differences in the types and contents of metabolites in celery with different-colored petioles, with the most striking difference between green celery and purple celery, followed by white celery and green celery. Annotated analysis of metabolic pathways showed that the metabolites of the different-colored petioles were significantly enriched in biosynthetic pathways such as anthocyanin, flavonoid, and chlorophyll pathways, suggesting that these metabolic pathways may play a key role in determining petiole color in celery. The content of chlorophyll in green celery was significantly higher than that in other celery cultivars, yellow celery was rich in carotenoids, and the content of anthocyanin in purple celery was significantly higher than that in the other celery cultivars. The color of the celery petioles was significantly correlated with the content of related metabolites. Among the four celery cultivars, the metabolites of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were enriched in purple celery. The results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) suggested that the differential expression of the chalcone synthase (CHS) gene in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway might affect the biosynthesis of anthocyanin in celery. In addition, HPLC analysis revealed that cyanidin is the main pigment in purple celery. This study explored the differences in the types and contents of metabolites in celery cultivars with different-colored petioles and identified key substances for color formation. The results provide a theoretical basis and technical support for genetic improvement of celery petiole color.
Anthocyanins ; Apium/metabolism* ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Color ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Humans ; Metabolomics ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry